Still Tuesday - but a long day!

I rented a car this afternoon.  So i would be ready to drive over and get parts at noon tomorrow.  (there is no taxi service in Apalach) To utilize my time and tools, i stopped at the Auto Parts store and got 5 gallons of oil for my next oil changes.  Then i stopped at the Piggly Wiggly for more food stuffs.  (use the car when you have it)  After going back and offloading all that on the boat, i drove over to Eastpoint, turned right and across the bridge to St. George Island.  Figured it's my one night to go eat local.  Paddys Raw Bar on the water.  The auto rental guy told me it's where i had to go.  (i have unlimited milage on the car, so i figured it might really be good and certainly cheaper than downtown Apalach.  plus i have a car.  i can eat downtown anytime.)  It was quite grand.  Do YOU know about the Oyster Capital of the world?  Apalachicola bills itself as the #1 spot.  And truth be told their oysters are incredible.  I'm told it's because of the many rivers that empty into the bay here.  "it creates the perfect salinity for great tasting oysters.  not too salty and not too sweet."  I cant argue with any of that.  I had a dozen of the High Tide and then another dozen of the St. Chedder.   yum yum.

St George Island Lighthouse

i did take my HAT off when i sat down to eat, but i left my shirt on.  It's a Pirate thing.  I think these two guys are fine healthy examples of the infamous Georgia Cracker?  But i could be wrong?

The Waitstaff - local St. George girls

Living Large and in charge!  - Pirate Skip

Apalachicola - Tue at the Dock

They didn't have the part locally.  Supposed to arrive by noon tomorrow.  The packing gland on the rudder is leaking and needs to be replaced.  As the rudder swings side to side water flows into the boat.  (water in the boat, bad)  So you pull the old packing and put in new.  Yeah, right....     Except there is only one Marine Store (and it's not in Apalach, it's over the bridge on the little island) but they didnt have any stuffing.  So that project is on hold till noon.  Second is the leak in the hydraulic fittings.  We pulled out that 'Frankenstein' of connected parts and went to Ace Hardware to buy a new barrel and compression fitting. It just made since to replace the leaky one while it was all taken apart.  We also got some pipe dope to put on the threads to hopefully stop all the leaks there.  (also on hold)

It's being held in a vice while Kevin puts 'Gorilla torque' onto the fittings to insure they dont leak.  That plus the pipe dope should do it.  This should all go back together pretty quickly tomorrow when the Stuffing for the packing gland arrives.  ("should")  ha ha ha.

That's enough WORK talk.  Did i tell you that i had key lime pie for lunch-dessert yesterday?  I got the same entree.  (i wanted the Apalash Fried special but when i told her i was allergic to shrimp and leave them out, she refused to serve me that.  "honey that's the same grease.  i cant have you sick!")  I was NOT disappointing with either choice.

I wrote you yesterday that i was working in the Owl Restaurant. Well, i didnt tell you how incredible the food was.  OMG it was delicious.  I got the special: Triple Tail Fish with a citrus reduction, One large scallop, buttery vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes, fresh bread with parmesan cheese and olive oil.  A glass of Pinot Noir wine and a sour-cream pound cake with strawberries and strawberry drizzle.  (except i'm allergic to strawberries so they did chocolate.  *I think i should have taken the hit and had the strawberries?)  This stuff was so delicious!

 I was told Triple Tail is a white light flaky fish native to Florida.  (i had never heard of it)  

It's incredible just like they told me it would be.

stock photo

Then i rode my bike back across town to the marina for an Air-conditioned sleep!  It was a nice night and i'm already excited about what i'm going to cook for dinner and more sleep tonight...

Pirates can get tired too.  I hope they had all your boat parts today.   -Capn Skip